Newly Updated Digital Bookmobile Kicks Off 2017 North American Tour

CLEVELAND, June 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a one-of-a-kind event coming to a library near you. The 2017 Digital Bookmobile North American Tour, powered by OverDrive, launches Friday, June 9th at Waukesha Public Library in Wisconsin. Traveling coast to coast, the newly updated, innovative mobile exhibit will provide an interactive experience for readers of all ages to explore eBooks and audiobooks available at local public and school libraries. Visitors can sample a variety of devices, talk with eReading experts and so much more. Tours are free and open to the community.

A high-tech update to the traditional bookmobile, OverDrive created this vehicle for libraries and schools to promote their digital book collection. Aboard the truck, readers can learn how to borrow digital books—including J.K. Rowling'sHarry Potter series, James Patterson'sBlack Book and a million-other popular and educational titles.

School and library eBooks and audiobooks continue to surge in popularity, with 95% percent of libraries offering digital content and OverDrive-powered digital libraries generating a record 195 million digital books borrowed in 2016. Traveling to schools and public libraries throughout North America, the Digital Bookmobile enables readers of all ages to learn about and experience this growing trend. Following the kick-off event in Waukesha on June 9, the tour moves through the Midwest to Illinois, Missouri and Indiana before heading to the Southeast and beyond. For a schedule of the Digital Bookmobile events throughout North America, click here.

The 42-foot long Toterhome, fresh off the assembly line, is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, touchscreen monitors and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore their library's digital service. In the Gadget Gallery, readers can explore popular devices including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets, Chromebook™ and Kindle®. Interactive learning stations encourage visitors to search and borrow from the library's digital media catalog. Beginners can get a one-on-one tutorial from technical experts.

Library readers can take advantage of the host library's featured services to borrow eBooks, audiobooks and streaming video for free, 24/7 with no late fees on the library's website or use the OverDrive app to read or listen. A valid library card enables the opportunity for readers to explore the extensive digital catalog featuring bestselling authors, new releases, classic titles and much more.

OverDrive hosted the first Digital Bookmobile event in New York City's Central Park in 2008. Since then, the traveling exhibit has made more than 800 stops at libraries in 48 states and two provinces. The Digital Bookmobile is powered by OverDrive, the industry-leading digital reading platform to more than 36,000 libraries & schools worldwide. To find your local library visit www.overdrive.com.

About the Digital BookmobileThe Digital Bookmobile, developed inside a 42-foot Toterhome, is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The newly updated, one-of-a-kind traveling exhibit creates an engaging experience with the host school or library's "virtual branch" website and catalog of eBooks and audiobooks. The Digital Bookmobile is operated by OverDrive. www.digitalbookmobile.com

About OverDriveOverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. We are dedicated to "a world enlightened by reading" by delivering the industry's largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks and other digital media to a growing network of 36,000 libraries and schools in 63 countries. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten. www.overdrive.com